Eastern region in quasi-alliance (4)
I believe the answer is:
asia
'eastern region' is the definition.
'asia' can be an answer for 'region' (I have seen 'populous region' mean 'asia' so perhaps 'region' could also mean 'asia'). I am unsure of the 'eastern' bit.
'in quasi-alliance' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'ASIA' can be found hidden inside 'quasi alliance'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asia that I've seen before include "its pampered jades couldn't draw much?" , "space for economic expansion?" , "huge territory" , "Continent in which India is situated" , "The Orient" .)